Former Zim finance minister Chombo in Harare court on fraud charges

Last Sunday, the governing Zanu-PF expelled Chombo and many others aligned to the G40 faction, which supported Grace to succeed her husband.

Former Zimbabwean finance minister Ignatius Chombo appeared in the Harare Magistrate’s Court on Saturday on charges of fraud, abuse of power, and corruption.

November 25 – Former Zimbabwean finance minister Ignatius Chombo (centre with grey hair) appeared in the Harare Magistrate’s Court on Saturday on charges of fraud, abuse of power, and corruption. Photo: ANA

According to the “Request for Remand” court papers, Chombo, 66, is charged (count one) with contravening section 4 (a) of the Prevention of Corruption Act chapter 9:16 which states “Does anything that is contrary to or inconsistent with his duty as a public officer”.

Count two relates to “criminal abuse as a public officer as defined in section 174 (1) (a) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act chapter 9:23”. Count three is simply stated as “fraud”.

The allegation states that Chombo is a “co-director of Harvest Net Enterprises (Private) Limited, a company with owns number 61 Helensvale, Borrowdale, Harare. Value of property stolen US$3.6 million. Value of property recovered Nil”. Chombo was arrested at 8.30pm on Thursday, November 23, according to the papers.

Last Sunday, the governing Zanu-PF fired president Robert Mugabe, and at the same time expelled Mugabe’s wife Grace and banned her for life from the party’s politics. Also expelled were Chombo, Jonathan Moyo, Saviour Kasukuwere, Mugabe nephew Patrick Zhuwao, and many others aligned to the G40 faction – supporting Grace to succeed her husband – which had been fighting against former vice president Emmerson Mnangagwa’s possible ascension to power.

After initially refusing to resign as Zimbabwean president, Mugabe, 93, finally capitulated and resigned on Tuesday, November 21, bringing the parliamentary impeachment process against him to a halt.

Mnangagwa, 75, who was sacked by Mugabe earlier this month, was sworn in as Zimbabwean president on Friday.